Sam Shellabarger
FSA, MAAA
Consulting Actuary
Seattle, WA, US
Sam Shellabarger is a consulting actuary with the Seattle office of Milliman. He joined the firm in 2016.
Experience
Sam's primary focus areas are Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Medicare Advantage Organizations.
He has worked with a broad range of clients, including health plans, integrated delivery systems, and provider groups. He played a key role in the development of Milliman's ACO Builder suite of products.
Examples of recent analyses include:
Provider organizations
- Support for provider groups in risk sharing programs, including MSSP, ACO REACH, and Primary Care First
- Medicare Advantage risk-sharing contract support
- Forecasting of ACO program changes
- ACO network development
Health plans
- Medicare Advantage bid development and certification
- Healthcare cost savings opportunity analysis
- Medicare Advantage feasibility analysis
Professional Designations
- Fellow, Society of Actuaries
- Member, American Academy of Actuaries
Education
- BS, Mathematics - Actuarial Science, Washington State University
Publications
Read their latest work
Article
ACO Primary Care Flex Model: Five key takeaways for ACOs considering participation
18 July 2024 - by Sam Shellabarger, Emma Kramer
We offer tips for ACOs considering participation in the ACO Primary Care Flex model offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Article
Reactions and thoughts on PY2024 ACO REACH methodology changes
07 September 2023 - by Emma Kramer, Noah Champagne, Sam Shellabarger
We summarize in detail the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s guidance on methodology changes to the ACO REACH model.
Article
Direct Contracting Duals Model: Medicaid MCOs managing Medicare FFS costs for dual-eligible beneficiaries
08 February 2021 - by Nicholas Johnson, Sam Shellabarger, Annie P Hallum
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid introduced the Direct Contracting entity for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare in December 2020.
Article
Direct Contracting Duals Model: Medicaid MCOs managing Medicare FFS costs for dual-eligible beneficiaries
04 February 2021 - by Nicholas Johnson, Sam Shellabarger, Annie P Hallum
This white paper summarizes the new Direct Contracting option that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced in December 2020.
Article
Medicare FFS Direct Contracting: Financial benchmark observations
04 January 2021 - by Emma Kramer, Sam Shellabarger, Erica Reijula
This white paper compares and contrasts the financial benchmark methodology between the Direct Contracting Global and Professional options and the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
Article
Eight key impacts of COVID-19 on MSSP ACOs
27 April 2020 - by David Byron, Noah Champagne, Blaine Miller, Charlie Mills, Sam Shellabarger
Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations are especially concerned about the potential for 2020 results to deteriorate due to COVID-19.
Article
Prospective and retrospective assignment in MSSP and beyond
04 February 2020 - by Sam Shellabarger, Charlie Mills, Lance Anderson
What are the potential effects of prospective and retrospective assignment on key accountable care organization metrics under the Medicare Shared Savings Program?
Article
Medicare FFS Direct Contracting: Financial benchmark observations
03 February 2020 - by Emma Kramer, Erica Reijula, Sam Shellabarger
What are the similarities and differences in the financial benchmark methodology between the Direct Contracting payment model and the Medicare Shared Savings Program?